Vonn airlifted to hospital after crash at World Championship

Tuesday, February 05, 2013 - 01:20

Feb. 5 - Skier Tina Maze, the Super-G race winner watched in horror as American Lindsey Vonn was airlifted to a hospital after crashing at the Alpine Skiing World Championships. Deborah Gembara reports.

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American skier Lindsey Vonn crashed during women's Super-G in Austria and is expected to be out for the season.
SOUNDBITE: Atle Skaardal, Chief Race Director World Cup-Ladies saying:
"She jumped a little bit in the wrong direction and started to correct it a little bit in the air and put a lot of pressure on the outside ski, exactly in the landing, and she couldn't hold the pressure and then it happened."
The four-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist had to be airlifted to Salzburg.
Chief Surgeon, Dr. Christian Kaulfersch.
SOUNDBITE: SCHLADMING HOSPITAL CHIEF SURGEON, DR. CHRISTIAN KAULFERSCH, SAYING:
"Lindsey Vonn doesn't want me to give you an exact answer, it's a knee injury, an injury of the ligaments and the American team will decide what will happen in the next days. An operation will be necessary, it's not sure whether in Europe or the US."
Vonn, seen here before her fall, somersaulted down the mountain and could be heard screaming in pain as stunned spectators like her sister Laura watched. This was race winner Tina Maze's reaction to the crash.
The competition's start was delayed for several hours due to fog and limited visibility. Vonn who was released from the hospital on Tuesday is still expected to compete in next year's winter Olympics according to a statement from U.S. Ski team.

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